After watching his team drop its season opener, Dos Pueblos football coach Nate Mendoza and his staff were preparing to make the necessary adjustments for the next game.
Those adjustments turned out to be greater than expected. Mendoza had to get another quarterback ready for Friday’s game at Cabrillo after he learned that returning starter Barrett Burnes suffered a concussion some time during the second half of the Chargers’ 20-14 loss to Pacifica.
Mendoza brought up sophomore Kellen Roberts from the JV team to start against Cabrillo. Daniel Hernandez, the starting middle linebacker, will be the backup.
Roberts trained with the varsity all summer. “We kind of knew that was the route we were going to have to take if we did lose Barrett,” said Mendoza.
Roberts comes from an athletic family. His older brother, Jake, was a standout receiver for the Chargers and his sister, Jordan, was on the 2011 CIF championship softball team at DP. His father, Donn, was co-coach of that championships softball team. He’s also coached lower level football teams at the school as well as YFL teams for many years.
“Kellen is a very intelligent football player, and we’re just asking him to manage the game (Friday), be smart and take care of the football,” said Mendoza.
Roberts has worked with the first unit all week.
“He’s worked with the coaches in the classroom and did a nice job on the field this week preparing himself and getting ready to compete on Friday night,” said Mendoza.
Dos Pueblos will be facing a Cabrillo team that won an exciting opener against Santa Maria. Josh Larson scored on a 70-yard run late in the fourth quarter to give the Conquistadores a 20-19 victory.
St. Joseph (1-0) at Santa Barbara (0-1): The Dons hope to clean up the mistakes they made on offense in their 28-6 loss to Oxnard. Coach JT Stone said the players saw on film where things went wrong. “From a positive note, they understand that we shot ourselves in the foot,” Stone said. “We have to be technique sound. We’re not the biggest team but we have to execute, and we had opportunities to execute.” Santa Barbara was down only 7-0 entering the fourth quarter against Oxnard. “Our defense did the best it could. We just couldn’t put it together offensively.” The Dons will be facing a potent passing attack from St. Joseph. Quarterback Blake Jaeckels completed 17 of 24 passes for 270 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-20 win over Santa Fe Springs. He also rushed for 87 yards. This could turn into a passing shootout with Jaeckels and Santa Barbara’s Brent Peus.
Rio Mesa (0-1) at San Marcos (0-1): San Marcos coach Anthony Linebaugh said the team had a good week of practice following its 42-14 loss. “I’m pleased with the team’s response. To a man, everyone committed to fulfilling his role and responsibility this week, which led to a solid week of practice,” he said. Linebaugh said the starting quarterback will again be a game-time decision between Joseph Estrada and Sage Reid. Estrada was the starter last week. “I was pleased with Joe’s effort. He showed toughness and leadership. Sage continues to work hard and I believe he will play well when given the opportunity,” said Linebaugh. Rio Mesa is coming off a 38-13 loss to a good Camarillo team. The Spartans have a big quarterback in 6-4 Cameron Wrout.
Carpinteria (0-0) at Santa Ynez (1-0): The Warriors kick off their season against a Santa Ynez team full of confidence after a 30-12 win over San Luis Obispo. The Pirates did a good job running the football, rolling up 322 yards on the ground, led by Austin Vreeland’s 115 yards on 13 carries. Quarterback Bear Redell was efficient throwing the ball, going 8 for 11 for 155 yards and two scores. Jimmy Graves is expected to start at quarterback for Carpinteria, “but coach Ben Hallock plans to use Rayshaun Moore as well. “Both will get a lot of playing time,” he said. Both will play on defense, too. The Warriors have an athletic and fast team. Santa Ynez has a size advantage. “We’ll have to see how well we can get after it and use our athleticism,” said Hallock
Santa Fe Christian (0-1) vs. Bishop Diego (1-0), at SBCC: The Cardinals dominated a rebuilding Oak Park team in last week’s opener, scoring five touchdowns in the first quarter of a 56-0 rout. They face a Santa Fe Christian team that gave up 343 rushing yards in a 19-0 loss against Sweetwater, the defending San Diego Section Division 4 champion. This is the third straight year of this intersectional matchup. Bishop Diego won the two previous meetings against the perennial San Diego Section small schools power.
